I absolutely adore tactile switches. For those unaware, there are 3 main types of switch variations: Linear, Clicky, and Tactile.
Linear switches are smooth. They give no feedback. This means no click sound when pressed or "bump" that can be felt after switch actuation. I'm not a fan of linear for typing feel, but they are supposedly superior for gaming. I do like how quiet they can be made with the right dampening materials. Clicky switches have all the feedback. Tactile bumps and audible noise. They are loud and good for annoying those around you. I do like they way they feel for typing, but the noise is a bit much for me and the people around me so I generally avoid this switch type. If you have no issue with noise levels (or just like the clicks, as many do) clicky switches are fantastic performers for typing tasks. Hardcore gamers will tell you they're not ideal for quick and repeated key presses, though I still find them perfectly fine for my casual gaming. Your results may vary. For me Tactile switches are the bees knees. They offer feedback by way of the tactile bump so you can feel the point of key actuation, but they don't have the click leaf found in clicky switches that produces the metallic ping sound. Tactile switches are relatively quiet. Really no louder than linears, but they provide for me the much needed tactile feedback that increases my typing speed and greatly reduces errors compared to linear switches. Just a great general use switch type that works well in many situations. If you ever have the chance give Cherry MX Clears a try. Wonderful feel with great tactility and fairly heavy key actuation force. Maybe not for everyone, but MX Clears fit my personal preferences to a tee.
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Not all mechanical keyboards cost $100+. There are low budget options. Granted, most of them aren't very good. That isn't the case with the Drevo Gramr, which comes in around $40 or less. I got lucky and bought mine on sale for $30. For the price, it can't be beat.
The Gramr is classified as a 75% mechanical keyboard. This basically means it's a little smaller than a TenKeyLess. It's roughly the same length as a 65% (such as the Qisan Magicforce 68), but taller due to the function row. Some keys are of a non-standard size to squeeze as much functionality as possible into a compact keyboard. The switches are Outemu Blacks (Cherry MX clone). This is a heavy linear switch that is smoother than you might expect. I had no experience with Outemu switches until buying the Gramr, but was pleasantly surprised by them. The keycaps are thin ABS. They are doubleshot, which I really like and have a nice texture. But being ABS they will develop shine with use. And being thin keycaps doesn't help with producing a pleasing typing sound. Still decent quality caps. Probably some of the best you can possibly find on such a cheap mechanical keyboard. If you want more details MechType has a full review of the Drevo Gramr that goes into much more specifics about this keyboard than I care to. One thing all Corsair mechanical keyboards have in common is that weird bottom row with non-standard key sizes. Most enthusiasts will tell you "Corsair is overrated. Don't buy their keyboards". Honestly, I agree with that opinion. I mostly feel this way because of the bottom row shenanigans (and their boards generally being overpriced because of marketing/branding). The build quality and features are otherwise above average.
Having a non-standard bottom row makes replacing the included (and usually sub-par) keycaps a chore. The biggest issue with most "gamer" marketed keyboards is usually the stock keycaps. Just having a standard size bottom row would help mitigate the problem of thin ABS keycaps since they could be easily upgraded with pretty much any PBT keyset you desire. Just look at Cooler Master. They do it right. Their boards are mainly targeted to gamers, but also receive love and praise from the enthusiasts community. And I don't want to single out Corsair. Razer is also guilty of this practice. Seriously guys, stop it. Using standard sized keys can only increase your product quality and sales in the long run. |